The Freedom of the Creator

God creates freely; nothing limits his creative freedom. God’s creativity is expressed in creation, in bringing forth being from non-being. God calls forth into being that which did not exist, and did not necessarily have to exist. In other words, what God called into existence did not come into being out of any necessity. Holy Scripture does not tell us how the world came to be. Instead, it speaks about the who (the Father), through whom (the Word, the Son), and in whom (the Holy Spirit) God called this world into existence. (Christ Our Pascha, 105)

The Troparion of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple – February 2

Rejoice, O virgin Mother of God, full of grace! From you has dawned the Sun of Justice, Christ our God. He enlightens those in darkness. And you, just Elder Simeon, also rejoice, for you carried in your arms the Savior of our souls, our Resurrection.